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Sunday, April 24, 2011

I can’t believe we’re leaving our Safari Class C

It was 8 years ago, almost to the day, that we brought our first RV home. We bought it on eBay. We had been dreaming, and browsing eBay RV listings for a few months, when this listing appeared that just looked so perfect. Not too big, not too small - 30 foot, Class C but with the storage of an A, no slides. Not too old, not too new – it was a 1997 with 45,000 miles on it, that was 6 years old at the time. We loved the open bathroom floorplan which allowed for more open space. We bid $28,000 and ended up getting it! We could pay cash for that so we didn’t have to take on the adult responsibility of payments … we felt like kids with our first bicycle.

We knew nothing about RVs. We had rented one for a week and knew we loved traveling that way, and we had this ‘someday’ plan to live in an RV fulltime. We made arrangements to pick up our new home and we put it in the driveway of our house. We sat in it and daydreamed about how we could modify it to include an office for our computer work. We ended up taking out the couch and building file drawers and a computer desk. We also purchased and installed a Datastorm Internet Satellite dish. Over the first few years, we made many more modifications. We had the motorhome that was perfectly customized for our needs.

As it turned out, this was a very unique motorhome – see past posts about our Safari Class C. We lucked into a high-quality motorhome even though we didn’t know one manufacturer from another. We love this motorhome. How can we not love something that has taken us from Sea to Sea, and border to border. We’ve seen so many sights and made so many friends while traveling in this RV. We’ve grown from RV newbies to ‘Geeks on Tour.’ We call him ‘Oh Boy!’ because that’s the way we feel whenever we stow and go. Oh Boy! What new adventure awaits us today? I simply cannot imagine living in a home without wheels any more. Many people marvel that Jim and I have been able to live in this small place for so long and still be happily married. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? The four of us (me, Jim, Odie, Oh Boy) have been a real team. I couldn’t do this without Jim, and I don’t think Jim would do this without me … and Oh Boy made it all possible. That’s a powerful bond. We’ve learned so much and loved every minute … well, almost every minute! There was that tire blowout …

Living in Oh Boy! has become as comfortable as living in my own skin. We know every nook and cranny. My body knows exactly where to reach to turn on a light, or grab Odie’s leash. I can get up from bed and make it to the toilet in total darkness because as soon as my feet touch the floor, it’s only 2 steps! Like a turtle, our home on wheels feels like an extension of our bodies. Like a lobster, we’re now getting ready to molt and get a new skin.

Our Last Gas Stop Right now, we’re driving to where we’ll pick up our new RV and trade this one in. We just stopped for gas … yes, gas. Our new rig is Diesel. Gas is 3.78 and Diesel is 4.19. What are we doing? This rig drives so nice, and with 30 amp, 30 feet long and no slides, we’re never limited to where we can spend the night. We’ve fit in many a friend’s driveway, and State Park campground that can’t handle the big rigs. Are we really sure we want to do this? Every time we’re at a rally, we browse thru the RVs on display. We rarely like any of them any better than our Safari Class C! Even the million dollar ones!

We’ve made our decision. It’s time to move on … grow up! Make payments like adults . I just had to write this post first to tell you how much we’ve enjoyed this motorhome, to thank Oh Boy for all the wonderful memories, and wish him well on his continued adventure. I hope his next family will enjoy him as much.

Our new RV is located in Clearwater (Harberson RV) so we’re driving there. We’re parked tonight in the rest area at the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St. Petersburg. What a cool spot! One last night of magic in our very special RV. Oh Boy!

8 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Whoo-hoo - congrats on your super new rig! We know you'll enjoy the challenges of making "OH Boy II" fit your needs, but understand how hard it is to give up the old 'turtle shell'. We have followed your adventures almost from Day One - keep traveling, keep posting and keep having fun!Regards - Leslie 'n Dave(full-timing in our 16ft Scamp!)

That Sunshine Skyway is awesome. We didn't get to see it at night but I hope they had the lights on it and you got some good photos. Best wishes on your new home......may you make many more wonderful memories. Are you going to take out the couch and set up your office like in Oh Boy I?

How ironic, I spent last night in Fort Desoto Park and as I was driving there I noticed a couple of rigs in the rest area. That may have been you. I wondered why I was paying for a site that you had which was equal to the one we were in.

Additionally, we bought our Class C a year ago from Harberson RV as well. We love the dealership and their staff. They have been very helpful, quick and pleasent to work with.

I have only been following your blog a couple of months, but I am already dreaming of going full time.

Congratulations on your new home purchase. I'm sure you never imagined 8 years ago the turns your lives would take and that you'd become successful traveling "Geeks". I hope the next 8 years bring as much job and success in your new home!!! Can't wait to see pictures.

I understand your feelings of loss for your Oh Boy. We've been through it and are now on MH #4. Each MH was tons of fun in their own way and every one has a special place in our hearts. The memories they gave us are priceless.

As Geeks, you know that technology marches on and you'll enjoy all the new stuff with your new MH.

Inspiration

"There’s a myth that time is money. In fact, time is more precious than money. It’s a nonrenewable resource. Once you’ve spent it, and if you’ve spent it badly, it’s gone forever."— Neil Fiore: Author, speaker, and trainer on managing business